As the paradigm shift in the automobile industry toward eco-friendliness, intelligence, and service-oriented technologies accelerates, the diversity of technologies and products at mobility-related exhibitions is also expanding every year.

Notable mobility exhibitions in the first quarter of 2024 include CES 2024 and the Washington Auto Industry Show in the US in January, and InterBattery and EV TREND KOREA in Korea in March.

The exhibition held in the United States is an event that will provide insight into American policies and drivers' consumption styles that can shake up the global market, and it is also expected to be an important time for building brand image.

InterBattery is expected to be a place where one can learn about battery companies' 2024 direction, differentiated technologies, and supply chains, which are considered core to the industry, while EV Trend Korea, a concurrently held event, will provide an opportunity to examine the technologies of automakers and charger companies leading the domestic eco-friendly car industry.

In this article, we will look at the information and significance of each event in chronological order, starting with the upcoming CES 2024.

■ CES 2024. January 9-12, local time, Las Vegas

CES (Consumer Electronics Show) was originally known as a home appliance and IT exhibition, but since last year, a large number of mobility technologies have been introduced.

▲From Mercedes-Benz’s CES 2024 materials (Image source: Mercedes-Benz)

It also suggests that cars are no longer seen as a simple means of transportation, but are increasingly viewed as living spaces.

To support this, at CES 2024, OEMs including Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai Motor Group, as well as electric vehicle companies such as Hyundai Mobis and LG Electronics, will showcase various products on the topics of AI, SDV, and displays.

In addition, simulation companies including Morai, as well as precision maps used in autonomous driving, UAM, and autonomous driving technology companies are also participating, raising expectations that this will be an opportunity to see the overall picture of future mobility at a glance.

■ Washington, DC Auto Show (hereinafter referred to as Auto Show). January 19-28, local time, Walter E. Washington Convention Center

The Washington Auto Show is significant as an exhibition that provides a glimpse into the American automobile industry.

▲A view of the Washington, DC Auto Industry Show (Photo source: WASHINGTON, DC AUTO SHOW)

KOTRA Overseas Market News emphasized the importance of the auto show, saying that last year's auto show was a place where the Secretary of Energy and the White House Climate Change Advisor visited to discuss the future of electric vehicles in the U.S., providing an opportunity to learn about the characteristics of vehicles that American consumers want, as well as the policies of the U.S. auto industry.

At this auto show, you can see vehicles from companies leading the global market, including foreign luxury cars such as Maserati, Bentley, Aston Martin, and McLaren, as well as eco-friendly cars such as Volvo, Hyundai Motor Group, and Toyota.

In addition, you can also see the charm of old cars that are hard to find in Korea, and various events such as seeing leading contemporary artists paint Hyundai Motor Group and Nissan vehicles will be held together.

■ INTERBATTERY 2024. March 6-8, COEX Hall A-E, Seoul

InterBattery is the best business platform for forecasting the future of the domestic and international battery industry, and last year it established itself as a large-scale exhibition with 477 companies and 61,787 participants.

The InterBattery event, which is receiving more attention due to the rapid growth of the electric vehicle market, will exhibit various electric vehicle-related products such as electric vehicles (including two-wheeled vehicles), charging infrastructure, and electric vehicle parts.

As the battery industry is sensitive to policy changes in the United States and China, looking at the technologies and policies introduced at InterBattery can help us understand the trends for 2024.

The companies that received the most attention last year included SK ON, Samsung SDI, LG Energy Solution, and POSCO Chemical, and each company introduced next-generation technologies such as high-nickel and all-solid-state batteries. They also showed efforts to contribute to the future of the Earth by emphasizing environmental friendliness, such as RE100, and by promoting battery recycling and reuse.

In this way, the common exhibits of companies are significant in that they allow us to see at a glance not only the trends that lead to sustainability, such as the change to electrification and reduction of carbon dioxide, but also the extent of research and development that battery companies are doing to lead the market, such as supply chains and expanding driving ranges.

■ EV TREND KOREA 2024. March 6-8, COEX Hall A, Seoul

EV TREND KOREA, held concurrently with InterBattery, is the only electric vehicle expo in Seoul hosted by the Korea Battery Industry Association, and exhibits e-mobility, batteries, and charging infrastructure.

Various E-mobility technologies that will lead the 2024 electric vehicle trend, as well as the latest E-mobility technologies such as autonomous driving, connected services, and AI technologies, will be exhibited, and it is expected that major domestic and foreign zero-emission vehicle (electric and hydrogen vehicle) manufacturers, as well as electric two-wheelers, charging infrastructure, and major components will be on display.

At last year's event, automakers attracted attention by introducing their representative vehicles as well as their corporate policies and strategies that emphasize environmental friendliness.

In addition, the latest chargers, including rapid chargers from various charger operators including Daeyoung Chaebi, and technologies that enhance convenience were also exhibited.

It is worth looking forward to seeing whether this exhibition can revitalize the electric vehicle market, which has been at a standstill for a while.